Joint Statement on Framework for United States-Guatemala Agreement on Reciprocal Trade
The United States of America (United States, or U. S.
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The United States of America (United States, or U.S.) and the Republic of Guatemala (Guatemala) have agreed to a Framework for an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (Agreement) that further strengthens and builds upon our long-standing economic relationship, including the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), which entered into force for the United States and Guatemala in 2006.
Key terms of the Agreement between the United States and Guatemala will include:
Guatemala has committed to addressing a wide range of non-tariff barriers affecting trade in priority areas, including streamlining regulatory requirements and approvals for U.S. exports including pharmaceutical products and medical devices; removing import restrictions on remanufactured goods; accepting U.S. auto standards; and streamlining certificate of free sale requirements, accepting electronic certificates, removing apostille requirements, and expediting product registration requirements for U.S. exports.
Guatemala has committed to address and prevent barriers to U.S. agricultural products in its market, including with regard to U.S. regulatory oversight and acceptance of currently agreed certificates issued by U.S. regulatory authorities. Guatemala also committed to maintain science- and risk-based regulatory frameworks and efficient authorization processes for agricultural products.
Guatemala has committed to a robust standard for intellectual property protection and enforcement, including fully implementing certain international intellectual property treaties and taking steps to resolve many long-standing intellectual property issues identified in the Office of the United States Trade Representative’s Special 301 Report.
Guatemala has committed to provide transparency and fairness regarding geographical indications, while ensuring that market access will not be restricted due to the mere use of certain cheese and meat terms.
Guatemala has committed to facilitate digital trade, including by refraining from imposing digital services taxes or other measures that discriminate against U.S. digital services or U.S. products distributed digitally, ensuring the free transfer of data across trusted borders, and supporting a permanent multilateral moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions at the World Trade Organization (WTO).